Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, I recently made a post "not eating" but things have moved along since then.
I was on metronomic Palladia for 4 weeks, stopping on 20th April due to GI issues. My lung mets didn't grow much in that time. But, I have two problems that are eating away at my quality of life:
My back leg - I avoid putting weight on my remaining back leg because it hurts and doesn't seem to be getting better, although it doesn't hurt when I'm at rest. (Jerry, Thanks for the shopping back trick. Works brilliantly. Mum also bought an ezy up harness. She knows it doesn't have the best reviews but we are unlikely to need it for too long and it has made it soooooo much easier to get in and out of the car. No more growls from me 
. As long as mum can give me 24 hr care we can live with this problem. I have also started physio and we'll see if that can make a difference.
My GI issues - I recently had no appetite and diarrahea so I was taken off Palladia until it settled down. It seemed to get better and now my appetite is back BUT my tummy is hurting and from the look of my poop (black, tarry) last night I have some bleeding ulcers 
. I spent a restless night with mum unable to take away the pain no matter how much she cuddled me. I have sucralfate and omeprazole which will hopefully get things back under control (note, mum has been discussing this with the oncologist and is waiting to see my next poop before reporting back to him).
Quality of life is the most important thing and the GI issues are impacting it big time. I can't even rustle up one smile at the moment. Mum feels so helpless seeing me like this and can't bear to see me so unhappy. She is thinking that we won't go back on any sort of treatment except pain meds (but not NSAIDs unfortunately) and see if I can spend whatever time I have left a bit more pleasantly than the last 2 weeks. It's not that we are giving up but there comes a time when the pain is not worth the gain. So scared.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Sadly, there does usually come a point in this journey where you stop all the treatments - at least the "trying to fight it" treatments, and just stick w/ the pain meds. In a way, there's a bit of peace that comes when you stop fighting it. I just hope you can get your pain/GI issues under control so you can have a bit more quality time cuddling your mom, Princess!
You hang in there til Mom gets you sorted out. Keep us posted!
Sending pawsitive thoughts,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
bless your heart, we hope your mom can get your belly issues under control. chemo isn't for everyone, and saying 'enough' is often the right decision. quality of life is what we're all looking for, hope you will start feeling better, and can enjoy time with mom on your own terms.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Oh Princess, I know what a tough decision that is for your mom to make, but you're right, quality is the most important thing right now. For us, it was oddly peaceful once we made the decision....do what feels right. Hang in there! Xoxo Sue
Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to you Princess that you feel better soon! We'll keep our fingers and 3-paws crossed!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
I had decided that it was time for Maggie to move on, I called my vet to talk about it, and she said something that made sense. She said that there comes a point when the treatment is worst than the disease.
When Maggie's second cancer was diagnosed I defined what her minimum life quality was. I knew that when we reached that point that her time with me would be at an end of our journey together.
Maggie had a huge crash about 3 months before she passed, everyone thought she had reached the end. But I didn't get the feeling that she was done. She did rally and we had more quality time together. When we got to the end it was so clear that she was ready, she gave me a look I will never forget. It wasn't a bad or scary thing, I look at it as a gift from her to me.
That being said, I hope Princess can rally and starts feeling better soon. I hope there are more memorable days for you together.
Look into her eyes, follow your heart. You will know what to do at the right time.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I just wanted to add my words of support. Perhaps if you can get those GI issues (ulcers or whatever they may be) under control, you'll have more quality time together. I've gone through end-of-life journey with 4 dogs so far in my adult life. My experience is that there are valleys that are often followed by some really good time. It's a roller coaster so the fact that "today" didn't seem like a good day doesn't mean that tomorrow or the next day won't be. A hard part is figuring out when "today" is actually too hard to go through in order to find out if tomorrow will be a great day. Does that make sense?
My regular vet (not oncologist, but our long-term vet) has always been a great source of insight for me when we reach the roller coaster phase. She helps even out my perspective. Perhaps your vet could help you sort things out?
Take care. We are thinking of you and of Princess.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
I just wanted to say how sorry I am Princess is having such miserable side effects-- I assume they are side effects from the chemo. If you stopped chemo on April 20, then hopefully your girl will be feeling better soon. If you can get the GI issues cleared up, I bet she will be a different dog. I would certainly abandon chemo forever; many dogs on this site have had success without chemo. Then you can address the back leg-- does she have an injury to the leg, or is it just the extra strain of hopping?
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Princess, I'm so sad, and very sorry you're not feeling better (glad to hear the harness/sling is working though!). I do agree that there comes a point when the treatment is impacting quality of life, it's time to assess its worth. This post by Bo's Mom, Penny Jars Measure a Dog's Quality of Life, might help you right now in figuring out how many good days versus how many bad days she's having.
But before you make any decisions, definitely talk it over with your vet to find out what kind of options you have to help improve her quality of life.
I'm so sorry things are so ruff right now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
After re-reading you original post I wanted to add something about stopping treatment.
Maggie was diagnosed with a oral melanoma tumor- that was her second cancer. Because of Maggie's overall health there were not many options for treatment. After consulting with my regular vet and our oncologist I decided that I would not attempt to treat the tumor at all.
It might seem odd- given the aggressive way we treated her mast cell cancer with amputation and chemo. But there comes a point when the body just can not take anymore. Some might say I gave up- that I gave up on Maggie. But I don't look at it that way. I made the decision to not treat FOR Maggie. I knew that our time together was going to be short, but I wanted that time to be the very best time we had together.
After I made peace with the new cards we had been dealt, I actually was able to relax a little bit. There were no more decisions to make, not to many trips to the vet. I could focus on Mag and do the things that she liked doing. This is what we talk about when we say 'Be More Dog '. I appreciated and treasured each day.
Karen
Thanks everyone. It is reassuring to hear the experiences of others who have been down this road before. This is all new for me. The penny jars measure is a good one. I also regularly look at the "Joys of Life" from Demian Dressler's book to help keep my perspective.
I am at peace with my decision to discontinue treatment. It is an easy decision when I see how it has affected Princess. The GI issue has made her very sick. I haven't seen her this sick since she had pyometra as a 2 yr old.
The leg is an unknown issue. Arthritis? Mets somwehere in the spine/leg? it has been getting progressively worse since early March. We don't know what the problem is and an xray hasn't been done (oncologist didn't believe it would change the treatment plan. In oh so wonderful hindsight I should have ignored that advice). She doesn't seem to be in pain when sitting but it hurts her to put weight on the leg. We have another physio appointment this weekend.
Princess used to love visiting the vets but last time she literally shook with fear. I don't want to subject her to any more stress than absolutely necessary so I don't know whether or not to get her leg xrayed now, whether it will be materially useful. Quick visits to do blood tests is about all she can handle.
I hope I can bring you good news soon.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Awww. Poor Princess. So sorry she has had all of these issues. Praying that she will get feeling better soon so she can smile again. And you too.
I am so, so sorry that Princess isn't doing well. It's so scary when they are sick.
I tend to agree with you that xrays sound in order...even if the treatment is the same. I'm someone who has a "need" to know or otherwise, I am imagining the worst. It might bring you peace of mind.
My heart goes out to you. Sending lots of good vibes.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
We all want good news too. Let us know how the physio visit goes. In the meantime you are both in our thoughts. {{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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